Cleveland’s University Hospitals is said to be the first in the country to remotely monitor patients who test positive for the coronavirus.
It’s using the Masimo SafetyNet product from Irvine device maker Masimo Corp. (Nasdaq: MASI). A sensor is taped around a patient’s finger and attached to a disposable wristband, so patients can be monitored from home.
To “proactively prepare for a surge in COVID-19 patients while maintaining the safety of other patients and providers,” the product allows “hospitals to expand patient monitoring to the home or to other facility locations set up temporarily to care for the increased demand,” the $8.6 billion-valued company said in a statement last week.
“We can help (hospitals) triage and effectively take care of COVID-19 patients the best they can,” Masimo Chief Executive Joe Kiani said.
SafetyNet will “significantly aid in our ability to scale up remote monitoring and meet the demand for patient care while addressing capacity and safety issues,” said Peter Pronovost, chief clinical transformation officer at University Hospitals.
Remote monitoring means “patients with congestive heart failure or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease … don’t risk a COVID-19 infection by being near potentially infected patients.”
